Flowmeter



May 8, 1951 E. w. SCHWARTZ ETAL 2,552,017

. FLow METER Filed April 26, 1947 Patented May 8, 1,951

FLOWMETER Edward W. Schwartz, Pompton Plains, Warren H. Brand, East Orange, and Harvey W. Welsh, Lodi, N. J., assignors to Wright Aeronautical Corporation, Lodi, N. J., a corporation of New York Application April 26, 1947, Serial No. 744,102

4 Claims. l

This invention relates to fluid flow measuring systems and is particularly directed to a fluid flow measuring system in which the flow sensitive element comprises an electrically heated resistance disposed in the ow path of the fluid to be measured.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel and simple iiuid flow measuring system which is accurate over a wide range of flows and is substantially unaiiected by the fluid velocity distribution across the uid flow path. In addition, because the iluid iiow measuring system of the present invention is durable and occupies very little space it is particularly suited for measuring the airflow to an aircraft engine. Although the invention has been designed for this latter purpose it obviously is of general application.

Speciiically the invention comprises an electrically heated resistance having a high positive temperatur-e coeiicient of resistance. This resistance is connected into an electric bridge circuit and is disposed across the ilow path of the fluid whose ilow is to be measured. The fluid flow over said resistance removes heat from said resistance and therefore the magnitude of said resistance depends both on the magnitude of the electric power expended therein and on the mass ilow of iluid thereover. The arrangement is such that changes in the magnitude of said resistance disturbs the balance of said bridge circuit, whereupon the electric power dissipated or consumed in said resistance is automatically varied to restore the bridge balance.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the next detailed description in connection with the drawing, in which;

Figure l is a diagrammatic View of a flow measuring system embodying the invention;

Figures lA and 1B are partial views illustrating modifications of Figure l;

Figure 2 is a perspective view, partly in section, illustrating a ow sensitive resistance;

Figure 3 is a graphical view illustrating the relation between the fluid mass iiow and the electric power dissipated in the flow sensitive resistance; and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a modied form of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a duct IG forms part of the flow path of the fluid to be measured. A suitable resistance I2 is disposed in the duct I0 in the ilow path of said fluid. As illustrated in Figure 2, the resistance I2 comprises a wire shaped in the form of a grid disposed in a plane varies substantially linearly with its temperature in the operating temperature range, If the velocity distribution of the fluid across the duct I is not too irregular, a single length of wire, extending across said duct, may be substituted for the grid shaped resistance I2-for example as illustrated in Figure 4.

The resistance I2 is connected into a Wheatstone bridge circuit by wire leads I5 so as to form one arm of this circuit and the resistance I2 is heated by the electric current flowing therethrough. Fixed resistances I6, I3 and 2G are connected into at second, third and fourth arms of the bridge. The resistances I6, I8 and 2S are made of material-such as Manganin-having a negligibly low temperature coelici-ent of resistance. Manganin is primarily an alloy of copper, nickel and manganese and has long been employed as resistance Wire in electrical measurements.

Electric power is supplied to the opposite terminals 2| and 22 of the bridge circuit I4 from a source of direct current 24 through a variable resistance 26. By increasing the magnitude of the resistance 2S, the amount of current flowing in the various arms of the bridge circuit is decreased and vice versa. Accordingly adjustment of the resistance 26 changes the electric power dissipated or consumed in the resistance I2, thereby varying the temperature and magnitude of this resistance. Regardless of the adjustment of the resistance 26, the resistances IS, I8, and 2D remain fixed because of their negligibly low temperature coeflcient of resistance. The magnitudes of the resistances I2, I6, I8, and 20 are so chosen that, by adjustment of the external bridge resistance 28, the amount of power expended in bridge resistance I2 can be controlled so as to regulate the magnitude of this resistance I2 in order to keep the bridge circuit balanced in spite or" changes in the fluid mass flow over Said resistance I2 with its accompanying changes in thel rate of heat removal from said resistance. ,An electric motor 28 is drivably connected to an adjustable contact arm 30 of the resistance 2S for adjusting the magnitude of this resistance in response to unbalance of the bridge circuit I4 and in a direction to regulate the magnitude of the resistance I2 to restore the balance of the bridge circuit.

In order to effect operation of the motor 28, a suitable power amplifier is connected between the output bridge terminals 32 and 34 and the motor 28. For this purpose, a sensitive polarized relay 3E is connected across the bridge terminals 32 and 3d. Upon bridge unbalance in one direction, as a result of an increase in the resistance I 2, the relay 38 is energized to move its contact 38 into engagement with a contact 48, thereby com pleting a circuit through a winding dll of a power relay 4G. Similarly, upon bridge unbalance in the reversed direction, the electric current ows through the relay 36 in the opposite direction to move its contact 38 into engagement with a contact 42, thereby completing a circuit through a winding 48 of the power relay 116. Upon energization of the power relay winding 4, power relay contact 50 engages a contact 52 to complete a circuit to the motor 28 through its winding 5d, whereupon the motor 28 operates in a direction to increase th-e resistance 2S. Similarly upon energization of power relay winding 48, the power relay contact 5I) engages a contact 56 to complete a circuit to the motor 28 through its winding 58, whereupon the motor 28 operates in a reversed direction to decrease the resistance 26.

With the aioredescribed arrangement whenever the bridge circuit Ill. is unbalanced, the motor 28 is rendered operative to adjust the external bridge resistance 26, in one direction or the other, until bridge balance is restored. The

particular means for amplifying the output of the bridge circuit I8, upon bridge unbalance, forms no part o the present invention. Obviously other forms of amplifiers-such as electronic tube ampliers-could be used for eiecting operation of a suitable motor for varying the voltage applied to the bridge terminals and 22 in order to keep the bridge balanced.

Upon a flow of electric current through the resistance I2, its temperature and therefore its resistance assumes a value, such that the electric power dissipated or consumed in the resistance I2 is equal to the rate at which heat is given up by the resistance I2 to the iluid in the duct I. t a given temperature of the fluid in the duct i8 and at a particular temperature of the resistance I2, the rate at which the resistance I2 gives up heat to said fluid increases and decreases with increase and decrease, respectively, of the mass ow of said fluid. Accordingly in order to keep the bridge circuit It in balance it is necessary to vary the rate at which electric power is dissipated in the resistance I2 by varying the external bridge resistance 26. Also it should be noted that since the resistances I6, I8, and 28 have a negligibly low temperature coefficient of resistance, variations in the current flow through these resistances have no eiect on their magnitude or the balance of the bridge circuit.

Assuming now that the temperature of the air entering the duct lo is constant, the operation of the structure so far described is as follows: An increase in the fluid mass flow through the duct I8 increases the rate at which said uid removes heat from the resistance I2, whereupon the temperature and magnitude of the resistance I2 decreases. This decrease in the magnitude of the resistance I2 unbalances the bridge circuit I in a direction to close relay contacts 38 and l2 and contacts 50 and 58 thereby effecting operation of the motor 28 in a direction that increases the electric voltage and power applied across the bridge terminals 28 and 22 by decreasing the resistance 26. The motor 28 operates in this direction until the amount of electric power dissipated or consumed in the resistance I2 is increased sufficiently to restore the resistance to its original magnitude and temperature, at which condition the bridge circuit is rebalanced. Similarly a decrease in the fluid mass flow through the duct I8 decreases the rate at which said iiuid cools the resistance I2, whereupon the temperature and magnitude of the resistance I2 increases. This increase in the magnitude of the resistance I2 unbalances the bridge circuit in the opposite direction whereupon relay contacts 38 and l and contacts 5i] and 52 close to effect reverse operation of the motor 28, thereby decreasing the voltage applied across the bridge terminals 28 and 22 until the amount of electric power dissipated in the resistance I2 is decreased suiiiciently to restore the resistance I2 to its original magnitude and temperature. Accordingly, the resistance i2 senses or measures changes in the mass flow of uid through the duct I8 in that the rate at which electric power is dissipated in the resistance I2 is a function of the uid mass flow through the duct I0. This relationship is graphically illustrated by the fullline curve in Figure 3.

Preferably the bridge circuit is designed so that in the operating temperature range of the resistance I2, the magnitude of this resistance varies linearly with its temperature. In this Way, even though the fluid velocity distribution across the duct I is non-uniform, the resistance of each small section of the resistance I2 changes in proportion to the change in the fluid mass flow over each section. Accordingly the average change in the total magnitude of the resistance I2 is proportional to the average change in the fluid mass ilow and the resulting change in the electric power dissipated in the resistance I2 to restore its average value is a measure of the average change in the fluid mass flow. Also as previously mentioned, if the variation in velocity across the duct IS is not too large and/or nonuniform, a single length of wire, extending across the duct i8, may be used for the resistance I2.

The electric power consumed in the resistance I2 may be measured by a wattmeter 68 connected in this arm of the bridge circuit as illustrated in Figure lA. However, since the bridge circuit is maintained in balanced condition the current element of a wattmeter E may be connected external to the bridge in the power supply lead thereto, as illustrated. That is, with the bridgecircuit in balance, the total current supplied to the bridge is proportional to the current in each arm of the bridge. Therefore, with the wattmeter 68 connected in the bridge circuit as illustrated in Figure l, the indications of the meter 68, are proportional to the power consumed in the resistance I2. In view of the relation between this power consumption and the mass iiow of fluid in the duct I0, as illustrated in Figure 3, the meter 68 may be calibrated to read this flow directly. Also with the resistance I2 maintained at a constant value, the power consumed or dissipated therein is proportional to both the squarev of its voltage and to the square of its current. Accordingly, as illustrated in Figure 1B, in lieu of or in addition to the wattmeter 8D an ammeter 5I or a voltmeter 63 could be connected in series or in parallel, respectively, with the resistance I2 for measuring the mass ilow of fluid through the duct I0.

With the aforedescribed arrangement, if there is a sudden large decrease in the iiuid mass flow, the resistance I2 may overheat. To prevent this possibility a sensitive relay 52 is connected in the output circuit of the bridge III in series with the relay 3-6. The relay B2 is arranged to close a normally open switch 54 when the bridge circuit unbalance Voltage exceeds a pre-determined value as a result of an increase in the resistance I2. The switch 64 when closed connects a resistance 66 in parallel with the resistance I2, thereby shunting at least a portion of the current around the resistance I2. In this way if there is a sudden large decrease in the fluid mass flow, the resistance I2 quickly starts to heat up thereby effecting a quick and relatively large increase in the magnitude of the resistance I2, and in the unbalance of the bridge circuit, before the motor 28 can restore the resistance I2 to its original Value. If the increase in the resistance I2 exceeds a pre-determined value, the relay 52 operates to connect the shunt resistance BS around the resistance I2. Connection of the shunt resistance 65 around the resistance I2 immediately lowers the net resistance of this arm of the bridge circuit whereupon the relay 52 opens the switch 64. In this way the relay 62 intermittently opens and closes the switch 6d to reduce the average current iiowing through the resistance I2 until the motor 28 has had a chance to at least partially rebalance the bridge by decreasing the voltage connected across the bridge.

In the foregoing description the temperature of the fluid entering the duct I9 has been assumed to be constant. If, at a constant fluid mass flow, the temperature of the fluid entering the duct ID increases, then the resistance I2 will lose heat to said fluid at a slower rate so that the temperature and magnitude of said resistance will increase. As a result, the motor 28 will operate to decrease the electric power dissipated in resistance I2 whereupon the meter I5@ will erroneously indicate a reduced mass ow. However, the bridge circuit may be automatically adjusted to correct or compensate for changes in the fluid temperature. For this purpose the resistance of the bridge arm including the resistance I6 may be automatically increased with increase in the iiuid temperature so that a higher magnitude of resistance I2 is necessary to balance the bridge and vice versa. In this way the bridge circuit can be automatically adjusted with changes in the temperature of the fluid so that the power dissipated in the resistance I2 provides an accurate measure of the fluid mass flow regardless of the temperature of the fluid.

As illustrated, instead of varying the magnitude of the resistance I6 itself, one or more resistances 68 are connected in the bridge arm ZI, 32. The resistance or resistances 68 may be connected in series with the resistance I or, as illustrated, in parallel with the resistance I6. In addition the resistances 68 are disposed in the duct I0 so as to have substantially the same temperature as the fluid therein. The magnitude of the resistances 68 are made quite small with respect to their surface area in order that the electric current iiowing through the resistances 68 does not raise their temperature appreciably above that of the surrounding fluid. By suitably selecting the size and material of each of the different resistances 68 it is possible to vary the magnitude of resistance I2 at which 6 the bridge is balanced, at any particular fluid temperature, in order that the power dissipated in the resistance I2 be an accurate measure of the iiuid mass iicw regardless of the fluid temperature.

The full-line curve of Figure 3 illustrates the relation between the power dissipated in the resistance I 2 and the mas ilow of the fluid in the duct I0 for the system so far described. If desired, the nature of this relation may be varied-for example, to that illustrated by any of the dot and dash line curves in Figure 3, For this purpose a resistance I0 is connected in series with the resistance 20. The resistance 'Ill has a high positive temperature coefficient of resistance and is disposed in a chamber 'I2 so that the resistance I0 heats up with increase in current flow therethrough. In addition an electric heater element 'I4 is disposed in the chamber i2 and is connected in series with the bridge circuit power supply 24. In this way the temperature of the resistance 'I0 increases with increase of its own current and with increase in the voltage applied to the bridge circuit, whereby the magnitude of the resistance ID varies approximately with the magnitude of the electric power supplied to the bridge circuit I4. Accordingly the effect of the resistance 'I may be termed power compensation.

, Any increase in the resistance of the bridge arm including the resistance 2G and the resistance IU necessarily means that the resistance I2 must be increased to balance the bridge. If the fluid mass flow increases, the voltage or power supplied to the bridge circuit I4 must be increased to keep the bridge circuit balanced. However, because of the resulting increase in the resistance I0 with increase in said bridge power, the bridge power must be increased sufficiently to effect an increase in the resistance I2 corresponding to the increase in the resistance 1D. Therefore, as a result of the addition of the resistance 'IIB to the bridge circuit, it is necessary to consume more power in the resistance I2, with increase in the fluid mass flow, than would be consumed in the absence of the resistance 10. Accordingly by the addition of the resistancev 10, 'the full line curve of Figure 3 can be changed to any of the dot-dash line curves of Figure 3. The vextent to which the shape of the full line curve of Figure 3 is modified by the addition of the resistance IU depends on the magnitude, and coefficient of resistance of the resistance 10, as well as on its increase in temperature with increase of fluid mass flow.

With the temperature compensating resistance 68 and with the power compensating resistance '10, the current supplied to the bridge circuit I4 is ne lcnger exactly proportioned to the current in each arm of the bridge. This discrepancy is not large particularly for the values of the bridge resistances hereinafter specified, but if desired, the current element of the wattmeter E523 may be connected directly in series with the resistance I2 so that this meter accurately responds to changes in the power consumed in the resistance The uid flow measuring system, herein described, has been found to provide a simple and accurate system for measuring airflow at atmospheric temperatures. In an actual. operative system for measuring airflow at atmospheric temperatures, the bridge circuit was connected to a power source of 48 volts, the resistance I2 comprised Hytempco wire, the resistances I5, I8

and 20 comprised Manganin wire and the bridge circuit included a single resistance 68 of Hytempco wire. In the absence of any power compensation in said system, that is in the absence of any variable resistance I in the bridge arm 22, 34, the values of the various other resistances of the bridge circuit were as set forth in the following' table for a particular air mass flow and at two temperatures of the air.

measure of the electric power dissipated in the resistance I2 in spite of variations in the values of resistances 68 and 10.

The invention is obviously not limited to the specic form of bridge circuit described. As a further possible modication it is not necessary that the bridge be kept balanced. For example the relay 36 may be biased so that it only operates its contact 38 to engage contact 40 or 42 in Table I I Resistance in ohms T Air Air Flow Pwezn emp. es. F. y lbs'lhr' Watts Bmgzgelm Bridge Bridge Bridge Res 16 Res 68 (Reig 12) arm 22, 34 arm 2l, 34 arm 2l, 32

The value of the resistance I2 at 68 F. was 1.35 ohms but, as indicated in Table I, when connected into the bridge circuit and with an air flow of 18,000 lbs. per hour at 68 F., 92.5 watts were expended in the resistance I2, thereby increasing the value of this resistance to 3.50 ohms to balance the bridge circuit.

As previously described the resistance of the bridge arm 22, 34 may be increased with increase in power supplied to the bridge circuit (power compensation) in order to change the relation between iiuid mass flow and the power dissipated in the resistance I2. For this purpose the resistance of the bridge arm 22, 34 is split up to include a resistance it. forth changes in the value of the resistance of the bridge arm 22, 34 with the corresponding change in the value of the resistance I2 to keep the bridge balanced such that the relation between mass flowand power expended in the resistance I2 is substantially linear or proportional.

The following table sets response to departure of the bridge balance condition from a predetermined unbalance condition.

If the fluid in the duct I0 contains dirt or other foreign matter, the resistance I2 would graduallyl become covered with said matter thereby gradually altering its heat exchange characteristics. Accordingly it would be necessary either to periodically replace the resistance I2 or to periodically recalibrate the meter 60.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of an arrangement for automatically changing the resistance element I2. As illustrated a single length of wire 85 extends out from the duct I0 between a pair oi rollers 82, around a pulley 84, and about a spool 05. The opposite ends of the wire 8i) on the spool 86 are separated by a ange 8l. The wire 80, like the resistance I2, has a high positive temperature coencient of resistance and that portion of the wire Si) in the duct IIB forms the resistance i2 of the bridge circuit I4. Wire leads 88, corresponding to the leads I of Figure l, electrically con- Table II Resistance in ohms Power T) y All' lylow, expendg in B .d

F. S- nf' ""si f1 ge afm Bridge Brian@ Bridge.

Wars 3%2) arm 22, 34 arm 2134 firm 21, 32 RCS' 16 Res' 68 I 68 3, 600 18. 0 2. 20 P 3, 490 10 .0063 0150 0108 68 l1, 600 59. 0 2. 97 4, 710 10 .0063 0150 0108 68 14, 200 73. 0 3. 20 5, 080 l0 0063 0150 0108 68 17, 000 87. 0 3. 43 5, 440 l0 0063 0150 0108 68 18, 000 92. 5 3. 50 5, 560 10 0063 0150 0108 68 20, 000 102. 5 3. 66 5, 810 10 0063 0150 0108 In Table II no attempt has been made to indicate the relative values of the resistances 2liV and 'Ill since they are subject to considerable variation depending on the material of the resistance 'I0 and the extent to which its temperature is raised by the heater 14. In addition it should be clear that the invention is not limited to the speciiic combination of bridge resistances described since obviously the material and value of the various resistances are subject to considerable variation. Preferably, however, the sum of the resistances of bridge arms 22, 32 and 2i, 32' is much less than the sum of the resistance of bridge arms 2|, 34 and 22, S4, whereby the power expended in resistances I8, and 'i6 is very small and in addition the current iiowing through the resistance i2 is substantially equal to the total current supplied to the bridge circuit. With this arrangement, the meter provides an accurate nect the portion of the wire in the duct II] into the bridge circuit through the rollers B2. The length of wire 30 is quite large and, for example, may be suillcient to provide 100 or more complete changes oi wire acrossthe duct I0.

With the arrangement of Figure 4, that portionv of the wire 80 inthe duct I0 maybe progressively or intermittently changed by a corresponding rotation of the spool 86. For example, the length of the wire Sil' extending across the duct I0 mayA be completely changed once a day. For this pur-V pose a spool may be manually rotated. or a motor e0 may be provided for driving the spool. When the Wire 80 has been completely unwoundfrom one end of the spool 86 to its other end a new spool of wire is substituted therefor.

At this point it should be noted that small variations in the length of wire used for the resistance I2 do not aiiect the calibration of they meter t0 since the resistance 26 is automatically '9 adjusted until the resistance l2 attains the proper value to balance the bridge circuit.

While we have described our invention in detail in its present preferred embodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, after understanding our invention, that various changes and modications may be made therein Without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. We aim in the appended claims to cover all such modifications.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a fluid iiow system including a fluid fiow duct; an electric resistance, said resistance having a positive temperature coeoient of resistance and being disposed in said duct for iiuid iiow thereover; an electric bridge circuit including said resistance; means adjustable to vary the electric pov/er supplied to said bridge circuit; means responsive in its operation to changes in the balance of said bridge circuit from a predetermined condition; means controlled by said responsive means for adjusting said power varying means to maintain said bridge balance at saidI pre-determined condition; a resistor; a normally open switch adapted to be closed to connect said resistor in parallel with the resistance in said duct; means operable to close said switch when the magnitude of said resistance exceeds a predetermined value; and means movable in response to changes in the electric power dissipated in said resistance.

in a fiuid flow system including a iiuid flow duct; an electric resistance, said resistance having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance and being disposed in said duct for fluid flow thereover; an electric bridge circuit including said resistance; means adjustable to vary the electric power supplied to said bridge circuit; means responsive in its operation to changes in the balance or" said bridge circuit from a predetermined condition; means controlled by said responsive means for adjusting said power varying means to maintain said bridge balance at said predetermined condition; a resistor; a normally open switch adapted to be closed to connect said resistor in parallel with the resistance in said duct; means operable to close said switch upon departure, to a predetermined extent, of said bridge balance from said predetermined condition; and means movable in response to changes in the electric power dissipated in said resistance.

3. In a fluid flow system including a fluid ilow duct; an electric resistance, said resistance having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance and being disposed in said duct for, fluid now thereover; an electric bridge circuit includng said resistance and arranged to cause sufficient electric current to flow through said resistance to maintain its temperature substantially above that of said fiuid; a second resistance included in said bridge circuit, said second resistance being variable with changes in its temperature; an electric heater for said second resistance; means adjustable to vary the electric power supplied to said bridge circuit; means responsive in its operation to changes in the balance of said circuit from a predetermined condition; means controlled by said responsive means for adjusting said power varying means to maintain said bridge balance at said predetermined condition and for varying the heating effect of said heater such that, upon an increase in flow through said duct, the increase in electric current flowing through said first resistance is greater than would take place in the absence of said heater; and means movable in response to changes in the electric power dissipated in said resistance.

4. In a nuid fiow system including a iiuid flow duct; an electric resistance, said resistance having a positive temperature coeiicient of resistance and comprising a length of wire having a short portion of its length in said duct for uid iiow thereover; an electric bridge circuit including the portion of said Wire in said duct; means adjustable to vary the electric power supplied to said bridge circuit; means responsive in its operation to changes in the balance of said bridge circuit from a predetermined condition; means controlled by said responsive means for adjusting said power varying means to maintain said bridge balance at said predetermined condition; means operable to feed said wire through said duct thereby varying the portion of the wire included in said circuit; and means movable in response to changes in the electric power dissipated in said resistance.

EDWARD VJ. SCHJYARTZ. WARREN H. BRAND. HARVEY W. WELSH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,156,660 Berg Oct. 12, 1915 1,691,600 Brush, Jr., et al. Nov. 13, 1928 2,049,306 Matson July 28, 1936 2,064,589 Convers Dec. 15, 1936 

